Picture frame



ATTORNEYS w 1 G F d w L m vV// AAQJHI N TS Cur. v c Y 56.1.4332 m w I FIG] LEO L. MCKEOWN I. L. McKEOwN PICTURE FRAME FIG.6.

Nov. 14, 1939 Filed Jan. 25', 1939 FIG.2.

FIG.5.

Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFHQE PICTURE FRAME Ohio Application January 23, 1939, Serial No. 252,471

6 Claims.

The invention relates to picture frames more particularly designed for use in connection with photographs and it is the primary object of the invention to obtain a construction which provides for the easy insertion or removal of the picture. It is a further object to obtain this result with a construction in which the picture when inserted in the frame will not become accidentally displaced and will be substantially sealed against access of dust. Still further, it is an object to obtain a construction which can be easily manufactured at low cost. With these objects in view the invention consists in the construction and the method as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an element of my improved construction after a preliminary operation and indicating in dotted lines a second operation;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross section on line 22 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar View after the operation of cutting out and removing the portion forming the drawer or picture holding slide;

Figure 4 is a similar view showing the structure of Figure 3 having attached thereto the front panel provided with a picture display opening;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the frame with the front panel removed and with the picture holding drawer partly inserted;

Figure 6 is a similar view with the front panel in place;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal section on line 1-! of Figure 6.

In the manufacture of my improved picture frame I preferably proceed by the following method.

Two sheets A and A of suitable material, such for instance as heavy cardboard, and of the same dimensions are superposed and are bound together at their edges by a thin adhesive sheet B. This sheet preferably extends completely across the back around the edges of all the sides and a short distance over the front, as indicated at C. The front sheet is then out along the dotted lines D (Figure 1), to separate therefrom a panel E, leaving the back sheet intact. The center portion of the removed panel is cut to form a well F for receiving the picture and glass or transparent covering therefor, and a thin sheet of material G is secured to the underside of the panel to extend across the well and form a bottom therefor, Finally, a front or mat member H having an opening I slightly smaller in area than the well, is placed over the cut-out portion of the member A and glued or otherwise secured to the uncut margins thereof.

With the construction as described, the panel E forms a drawer or slide which can be moved inward or outward through the slot formed between the member A and the front member H. It is, therefore, possible to withdraw the panel E, place the picture J and glass K in the well, after which the panel may be reinserted in the slot and restored to its original position. This will bring the picture and its glass into registration with the opening I in the front member H, but with all the edges covered by the overlapping portions of said member. The panel E is preferably cut with its side edges slightly tapered in an inward direction, so that it will wedge into the pocket in the member A and form a sealing joint. Also, there is preferably provided a notch L in the bottom of the back member A to facilitate the withdrawal of the panel, such notch permitting the insertion of the finger.

While I have shown and described a construction where the panel is inserted and withdrawn through the bottom of the frame, it is obvious that it could be arranged for withdrawal from either side or the top. However, I prefer to use the bottom. In place of cardboard, any suitable material may be used for forming the frame, such as wood, paper stock, composition wood, metal, Celluloid, etc. The wedge-shaped form of the drawer or slide insures the forming of a tight joint which will exclude dust or dirt. The construction also permits of using a square glass over the picture in the well, where the front or mat member is provided with an oval or other shaped opening,

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a method of forming picture frames, the steps of superposing two coextensive sheets, binding the edge portions of said sheets to each other, severing a panel from one of said sheets to extend to and through one of the bound edges, withdrawing said panel and forming therein a picture and glass holding well, and securing to the marginal portion of the sheet from which the panel is withdrawn a front member having a picture opening therein.

2. In a method of forming picture frames, the steps of superposing two coextensive sheets, fixing a covering to one of said sheets and extending the same around the edges and over a portion of the other of said sheets to bind said sheets to each other, severing a panel from the partly covered sheet to extend to and through one of the bound edges so as to be withdrawable, forming in the withdrawn panel a picture and glass holding well, forming a front member with a picture opening therein of slightly smaller area than. said well, and affixing said member to the marginal portions of the sheet from which the panel is withdrawn.

3. A picture frame comprising two superposed sheets marginally bound to each other, one of said sheets having a panel severed therefrom to extend to and through one of the bound edges, said panel also having therein a picture and glass holding well and a front member secured to the marginal portions of said severed sheet and provided with a picture opening therein of slightly smaller area than said well.

4. A picture frame comprising a back member, a panel member of smaller area than said back member extending over the same from one of the edges thereof, said panel being slightly tapered in an upward direction and provided with a picture and glass holding well therein, a spacer member of substantially the same thickness'as said panel secured to said back member to surround said panel on three sides, and a front member having a picture opening therein of slightly smaller area than said Well, said front member overlapping and being secured to said spacer member and forming in connection with said back member a slideway through which said panel may be inserted or withdrawn.

5. A picture frame comprising a back member, a panel member of smaller area than said back member extending over the same from one edge thereof and having its side edges slightly inwardly tapered, said panel also having a picture and glass holding well therein, a thin strip secured to said panel member to extend across and form a bottom for said well, a spacer member secured to said back member to surround and contact with the edges of said panel member on three sides thereof, and a front member having a picture opening therein of slightly smaller area than said well,said front member overlapping and being secured to said spacer member and forming in connection therewith and said back member a slideway for the insertion or withdrawal of said panel.

6. A picture frame comprising a back member a panel member of smaller area than said back member extending over the same from one edge thereof and having its side edges slightly inwardly tapered, said panel also having a picture and glass holding well therein, a thin strip secured to said panel member to extend across and form a bottom for said well, a spacer member secured ,to said back member to surround and contact with the edges of said panel member on three sides thereof, and a front member of slightly smaller dimensions than said back member and provided with a picture opening of slightly smaller area than said well, said front member overlapping and being secured to said spacer member to form in connection therewith and said back member a slideway for the insertion or withdrawal of said panel, and said back member being notched or cut away to facilitate the grasping of the panel on the side from which it is withdrawn,

LEO L. MCKEOWN. 

